By Taylah Eastwell
Yarra Ranges Council has plans to increase property rates, the draft budget has revealed.
The draft budget, handed down on Tuesday 11 May, proposes a 1.5 per cent increase in rates, which is said to equate to approximately $43 extra per rate payer notice.
The proposed increase comes despite the 2021-22 budget leaving a surplus of $29.7 million.
The suggestion has been slammed by Streeton Ward councillor Cathrine Burnett-Wake, who is sticking by her election pledge to fight for a hold on council rate increases until the economy recovers sufficiently.
“I am of the view that we do not have sufficient economic recovery to justify a rate rise at this time,” she said.
“The pandemic has been devastating and this fourth lockdown we are living through will be the final straw for many and cause financial ruin. Since the beginning of this pandemic, businesses have closed, and many of those still open are struggling. People have lost, or stand to lose, their jobs. Our community has been significantly impacted,” Cr Burnett-Wake said.
Following the budget announcement, Yarra Ranges Council mayor Fiona McAllister described the rate increase as a “head and heart” decision.
“As my fellow councillors know, it wasn’t something I was on board with, initially. And I know a heavy body of work has gone into – what do we need to keep this very large complex organisation supporting the lives of 150,000 people in the Yarra Ranges on the right track.
“Proposing to increase rates is never popular – especially as we’re still working as a community to recover from the pandemic – but will help us continue to provide 120 services to the Yarra Ranges community, continue building and maintaining our infrastructure and prepare for future programs and challenges.
“And we still have an expanded policy of flexible options available to support ratepayers who need assistance in paying their rates,” she said.
Council applied ‘Covid Credit’ to rates last year which meant rates paid in 2020-21 were no more than the previous year.
However, a Victorian Ombudsman investigative report into how local councils responded to ratepayers in financial hardship, delivered earlier this month, revealed that Yarra Ranges Council took 75 court actions to recover unpaid rate debts in the 2019-20 financial year.
378 court actions were instigated in 2018-19.
The average Yarra Ranges Council household rates in 2019-20 were $1,907.
“I am only one of nine councillors. Although I oppose the 1.5% rate rise for the 2021-2022 financial year, at least five councillors need to agree so that this can be stopped,” Cr Burnett-Wake said.
Feedback on the draft budget and its proposals can be given online until Tuesday 8 June. https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Council/Latest-news/Draft-Budget-documents-open-for-community-feedback?
